Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He brings the Jews again to the prophecies, and attributes this honour unto God, that having in fit time revealed the thing, he takes away all doublings. Afterwards he adds, that whatsoever was foretold, shall be confirmed. And thus there is a double force in the doubling of these words, I, even I. As if he should say; It is none but the God of Israel that hath spoken these things which are hidden, and to come: secondly, he being true, and one that never deceives, he will undoubtedly accomplish whatsoever he hath promised. Isaiah then propounds two ends here unto himself: First, that the poor captives should wait for their deliverance: secondly, being delivered, that they should acknowledge God to be the author of so excellent a benefit, and not to ascribe it either to the arm of flesh, or to haphazard. Now he shows that Cyrus his good success in his enterprises, shall proceed from Gods calling of him. Not that he was worthy of so great a favour, neither that he obtained it by his own industry and power; but in regard that the Lord used him as his servant to deliver his people. For where he called him his beloved in the former verse, and here saith that he hath called and brought him; I told you erewhile that it is not to be referred to that love of God, whereby he adopts us for his children, by calling us to himself. Cyrus was neither loved nor called in this kind:¹ for howsoever he were endued with excellent virtues, yet was he tainted with very odious crimes, as ambition, desire of swaying Kingdoms, covetousness, cruelty, and many other vices: